Oscar Lara

Oscar Lara, 56, of Casa Grande died Feb. 6, 2008 at home.


Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel, with rosary recited at 7. Funeral Mass was celebrated at 10 a.m. Monday at St. James Catholic Church in Coolidge. Burial was in Valley Memorial Park.

Mr. Lara was born March 11, 1951 in Casa Grande. He graduated from Coolidge High School in 1969 and was on state champion football teams in 1967 and 1968. He worked for Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation District for 20 years and was a maintenance supervisor. He was Employee of the Year for five straight years.

In his spare time he enjoyed hauling livestock to rodeos. He was a jokester and the life of any party. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Survivors include a daughter, Diana Lara Atkins of Arizona City; two sons, Michael E. Lara of Casa Grande and Marc Lara of Phoenix; his mother, Francisca Lara of Casa Grande; two sisters, Freda Salazar and Bertha Aguayo of Casa Grande; three brothers, Ed, Chino and Ray Lara, all of Casa Grande; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Ysabel Lara, and a brother, Alfred Lara.